Author Topic: Florida school dean and combat veteran fired in med marijuana case  (Read 328 times)

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Offline Elderberry

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American Military News by Joe Callahan - Ocala Star Banner  November 07, 2020

A Florida high school dean — a combat military veteran suspended after testing positive for medical marijuana — was fired by the Marion County School Board on Wednesday after a lengthy discussion.

Mike Hickman, a Belleview High School dean, faced a hearing after the board asked an administrative law judge to hear the case and issue a recommendation.

In November 2019, Hickman broke up a fight at Belleview High. During that fight he was injured and had to report to a worker compensation doctor for treatment. During that visit he tested positive for marijuana.

Wyk noted in her eight-page decision that Hickman argued that it is unfair that he is being penalized for use of medical marijuana to treat chronic pain, but would be allowed “to continue teaching under the influence of opioid pain medications, which he took for years prior to the availability of medical marijuana.”

“Imagine if this employee just sat back and let the two students continue to fight without regard for their safety, we wouldn’t be here right now,” said Chris Altobello, an executive director who represents both the teachers and support personnel unions.

“Or if we were, it would have been for not intervening,” he continued. “He was no more impaired than someone who took an aspirin for a headache. They implied that this is tantamount to smoking pot in the boys bathroom!”

Though medical marijuana is now legal in Florida, the state Legislature made it clear that doesn’t mean employees can go to work under the influence, Levitt noted. He said the board needs to uphold its policy.

More: https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/11/florida-school-dean-and-combat-veteran-fired-in-med-marijuana-case/